Encouraging

The Sand Creek Massacre

I read this story in the book Under God by tobyMac and Michael Tait. The story is so tragic and sad that I couldn’t help posting it here. Here is a short summary of what happened.

Old men, women, and children. These were the people that Colonel John Chivington attacked at Sand Creek in 1864. On that day, 163 Cheyenne and Arapaho were killed, two thirds of them women, children, and infants. Quoting from the story, which was quoting Silas Soule, a witness of the attack:

“It is hard to see little shildren on their knees have their brains beat out by men professing to be ‘civilized,'” wrote Silas. “One squaw was wounded and a fellow took a hatchet to finish her, she held her arms up to defend her, and he cut one arm off and held the other with one hand and dashed a hatchet through her brain. I saw two Indian’s hold one another’s hands, chased until they were exhausted, when they kneeled down, clasped each other around the neck and were both shot together.”… (Under God, pg. 333)

Our history is filled with so many atrocities just like this one. Wars, segregation, the KKK’s lynchings. So many horrifying stories. We’re seeing more of that even now: terrorist attacks, school bombings and shootings, ongoing worldwide slavery (including in the United States) and drug and alcohol abse.

It may seem like an impossible situation that’s out of our hands. We can’t change the past, but with the help of God, we can sure change the future. So ask him to show you how you can make a difference. And then do it.

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Live by the Truth

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John 3:21

Do you live by the truth? Do you come into the light?

A Willing Worker

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

God loves a cheerful worker.

I know it’s hard to be cheerful when you’re working on unpleasant tasks, but it actually makes the time go a lot faster. Here are some ways to stay willing and cheerful when the chores attack.

  • Dwell on your favorite Bible verse
  • Sing along with the radio or your favorite playlist (especially Christian songs!)
  • Smile and laugh
  • Think of jokes, and, if you’re working with someone else, share them!
  • Make it fun!